Community cleanup slated June 10

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce is organizing its annual community-wide cleanup day for Saturday, June 10.

The effort is aimed at beautifying Albany for the influx of visitors expected to attend performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle later in the month.

“We just want to make the town look good for all the people coming in for (the Fandangle’s) 85th year,” Chamber manager Brandi Lehew said. “It’s going to be a big one. I know tickets are selling, so we’ll have plenty of people coming into town.”

Lehew said the project will follow the same format as in the past.

“It will be the same thing as last year,” she said. “First National Bank has graciously decided to donate lunch from Happy Grill like they did last year for anybody who helps. We’ll give workers a ticket to go get a burger.”

All area citizens are encouraged to help with a variety of tasks. The workday offers an opportunity for those needing to accumulate volunteer hours to do so.

Lehew said volunteers should meet at the Chamber office at 8:30 a.m. Participants are asked to bring yard tools and implements such as hoes, rakes, gloves, mowers, and weedeaters.

“We are hoping to purchase some of those little trash grabbers,” Lehew said, “but folks will need to bring gardening tools, gloves, all the goods.”

Cleanup work will include creeks throughout town, Main Street and downtown, and Cook Field Road out to the Fandangle grounds.

Lehew said she hopes cleanup work will extend beyond the main road through town.

“Any assistance would be great,” she said, “whether it’s cleaning up their own yards and areas or coming to help us do the big work. Visitors are going to want to explore Albany.”